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There are so many interesting sounds your baby hears every day - from the birds chirping, to the sound of raindrops tapping on windows. Pointing out these sounds gives them a chance to learn new things and develop their sensory vocabulary.
How to identify sounds with your baby
When you are out and about with your child, listen for different sounds and look out for what is making them. For example, if it’s a car running, repeat the word 'car'. Pointing out the object making the sound will help to focus their attention.
When a sight or sound catches your little one’s attention, name it and talk about what you can see or hear. Describe what it looks like and what it sounds like. This is a great way for your baby to connect what they see with what they hear and learn new words.
See what your baby is interested in and chat to them about it. This will help build your child’s language learning and help them learn words quickly - the more they are interested, the more they’ll pay close attention to your words.
What are the benefits of talking about sounds with your baby?
Talking to your baby about different sounds and sights will help them make the connection between what they see and what they hear. In future they’ll be able to identify the sound to the sight.
By talking to your baby about the different things they see and hear, it helps them to learn new words and build their understanding of a larger vocabulary.
By engaging their senses, they're more likely to focus their attention.
Image caption, When you are out with your baby, have a chat about what you can see and hear.
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How to encourage speech and language using sounds
Use simple words to describe sounds to your child, like ‘beep-beep’ when a car honks nearby or ‘splash’ when you’re playing with water.
Encourage your child to listen and repeat sounds back to you.
Point out the object making the sound to help focus your baby’s attention on what they can hear.
Where to listen out for sounds
The world around us offers so many interesting sounds – take the time to pause and listen out for them and use them as a learning opportunity for your little one.
Listen up when you’re:
On walks – when you go out for a walk around the neighbourhood or in the park listen out for different sounds around you and point them out to your baby. For example, if you see a dog barking, point at the dog and mention the sound to your little one.
Bath time is a great opportunity for you to have fun with your little one and listen to the sounds of splashing of water.
When you’re playing in the garden with your child – listen out for birds chirping in the trees or point out to the sounds of pebbles tapping together.
